RANKIN COUNTY, Miss. (WLBT) – The man accused of sexually assaulting a real estate agent in Rankin County last July has died.
Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey confirmed the death on Monday.
According to Bailey, Jerry Dennis died Monday morning after being housed in a medical facility for “an extended period of time.”
Since Dennis was still considered under the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office custody, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has been contacted to investigate the death.
Dennis was being held at the Rankin County Jail on a $950,000 bond after being charged with two counts of sexual battery, kidnapping, and armed robbery.
According to the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department, in July, a real estate agent was getting ready for an open house event in Pearl when Dennis allegedly came in posing as a customer.
That’s when Dennis allegedly pulled a handgun and forced her to get undressed at gunpoint. He then allegedly sexually assaulted the victim, took her car keys and cell phone, and fled the scene.
Dennis told the victim not to tell anyone before leaving.
Investigators later arrested the suspect at a home in Rankin County.
Want more WLBT news in your inbox? Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Please click here to report it and include the headline of the story in your email.
Copyright 2025 WLBT. All rights reserved.
Read More: Man accused of sexually assaulting real estate agent dies
